APRIL 20, 2017 — Kvaerner has awarded Rolls-Royce a contract worth about $19.2 million to provide a mooring system for Statoil's Njord A oil platform

Originally delivered in 1997 Njord A is a semisubmersible floating steel platform, with an integrated deck with drilling and processing facilities, as well as living quarters. It is normally located in the Njord oilfield, around 130 km northwest of the city Kristiansund and 30 km west of the Draugen field, but is currently being completely upgrade by Kvaerner.

Today Njord A has a 12-point mooring system that will be upgraded to a modern 17-point system. Rolls-Royce will supply low pressure hydraulic driven winches, fairleads and a control system.

The semisubmersible four-column production platform will be moored at about 330 m water depth.

The delivery from Rolls-Royce is scheduled for 2018. The platform is planned to be back in operation offshore in 2020 and to operate for another 20 years.

The platform upgrade is part of a project Statoil has named "Njord Future," intended to prolong the lifespan of the Njord field.

Knut Hovland, Rolls-Royce, Director of Customer & Services – Marine, said: "We are proud to be part of this extensive upgrade program. It is the first time in the Norway's history as an oil producing country that a platform is being towed to shore for an extensive upgrade. Previous upgrades have been done offshore."